Food etiquette

[rabbitroger]

Ettiquette is different depending not only on the country but the region.
The world doesn't move to the beat of just one drum. What may seem right for you may not be right for some.

 

[chmurf]

Ettiquette is different depending not only on the country but the region.
The world doesn't move to the beat of just one drum. What may seem right for you may not be right for some.

right

what we consider as good table manners might not only be seen as ill mannered, but also as offensive, by other culture.

There are some table manners in Africa that would drive you crazy

Some table manners in the middle east would just plain disgust you.

Some people in Asia used to eating with chopsticks see us as cavemen with our forks and knives.

I tend not to judge or even be amused by other people's table manner, as I consider it to be a lack of respect for the culture they belong to, and where their table manners is the norm, and my "european" table manner is as "weird" to them as theirs is weird to me.

 

[feathersmcgraw]

The world doesn't move to the beat of just one drum. What may seem right for you may not be right for some.

Oh rabbitroger, did you just quote the Diff'rent Strokes theme tune? Lol

 

[paulh]

right

what we consider as good table manners might not only be seen as ill mannered, but also as offensive, by other culture.

There are some table manners in Africa that would drive you crazy

Some table manners in the middle east would just plain disgust you.

Some people in Asia used to eating with chopsticks see us as cavemen with our forks and knives.

I tend not to judge or even be amused by other people's table manner, as I consider it to be a lack of respect for the culture they belong to, and where their table manners is the norm, and my "european" table manner is as "weird" to them as theirs is weird to me.

If you read my op,i never said it was wrong how they eat.i just found it strange.Now i know why its not a problem.

Paul

 

[rabbitroger]

Oh rabbitroger, did you just quote the Diff'rent Strokes theme tune? Lol

I was wondering if anybody would notice.

 

[NotUrsula]

Absolutely agree with all of your comments on this!

It's something that we have been bewildered by. Normally we have found the manners of the average American to be so much better than the average Brit - with the exception of table manners.

Do they really get taught that that is the way to use a knife and fork?

Yes. Actually, it is not normal practice to cut up all the food first and then start eating the bite-size pieces, but some people just like to do that in order to be able to eat more quickly, which is in itself rather poor manners .. to bolt down food on purpose. However, the hand-to-hand transfer of the fork is absolutely considered the "proper" way in the US; it is formally known in etiquette books as "American Style", as opposed to what is here called "Continental Style", which is what you are used to.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-mirza-grotts/table-etiquette-two-diffe_b_594518.html

Possibly, most seem to eat this way. I don't think they consider that it is bad manners just different to the way we eat.

Not bad manners at all. However, this style has a unique set of rules of its own, and if you do not follow them, then yes, you may still have poor table manners.

That said - I work lunchtimes at a primary school and it is shocking how many children (even the 10 year olds) eat with just their fork. When I suggest they use their knife as well they just can't!

This one made me laugh. American children are never given knives at school to eat; they have been almost universally banned as a safety hazard since the 1960's. Even those schools that use plastic utensils as a time-saver still ban knives.

I'm first-generation American, and when I was in school I was forced to learn and use both styles; one at home where my mother insisted upon it, and the other at school where my teachers insisted upon it. To do otherwise would have adversely impacted my marks. Thankfully, by the time that I finished primary school my teachers no longer cared, so I was able to revert back to Continental, which I prefer. My American DH uses American style and I use Continental, and my children are free to do it whichever way they prefer, as long as they follow the proper rules for whichever style they choose.

 

[paulh]

As long as the food tastes good just enjoy
Paul